The Road Home

This past weekend was my first trip back home to Mobile in at least four years. Funny to think that I don't remember the last time that I went to Mobile but I really don't. Since Pops died and Mom moved back to Montgomery I have only really gone there to visit my God Parents and a few other relatives from time to time. I did not think that this trip would be easy and in some ways it was difficult at time, but there is nothing like going home.


Driving down Airport Boulevard gave me a chance to see all of the Mobile that I once new for the most part. I stopped by my old middle school to find that it had been leveled and replaced by a new building with zero personality. Hell they even renamed it - no more Azalea Road Middle School. My high school W. P. Davidson across the street was there. Looked the same for the most part, they major change was a fine arts center on the back.


From there I did one of my favorite things which is driving down Government Boulevard through old Mobile under the canopy of oak trees. I love this street because it shows all of the influences to the city; Spanish, British, French and Antebellum. There is a lot of cool history.


Friday night was the rehearsal and dinner and this was the first time that I have seen David in at least 5 years or so AND the first time meeting his 2 year old son. Seeing his little brother and even younger sister both with a couple kids does nothing but screw with my mind. What do I have to show for all these years? I guess we all grow up.


Saturday I got up and visited Dad's grave. That is something that always moves me and I find myself evaluating my life based on what he would want me to be striving for. It gives me focus. Definition. Purpose. I miss you Dad so much. I just want to be the man you wanted me to be. I want to make you proud and achieve the things that you never dreamed that I would. I won't let you down. I really miss you Pops.

Before I went to the wedding I drove the old neighborhood and even stopped by my old house before seeing my God Mother. This was the one thing that I really dreaded doing. Just as I feared, the my house is trashed. It is gone. Cars in the yard. A weight bench on the side of the front yard. It is a hideous blue. No lawn or garden to speak of. I took a lot of pictures on this trip but I could not bear to raise my camera and take a picture of my beautiful wonderful home. The one and only home that I lived in. The house my parents brought me home from the hospital to. It is gone. No more roses in my mothers garden, it's gone. This is just a clear example of the hand off of wealth from my parents generation to younger people my age and younger. There is no appreciation of a home or community. No pride in how you take care of a house. I drove past Mrs. Watson's house and I could easily tell that she lives there still - her yard was spotless.



The rest of the wedding and trip was good and less emotional. The reception was a lot of fun and brought together a lot of people. I got to make some new friends and connect with old ones as well as my home town. It's always good to go home.


Did I mention Wentzell's Oyster House...........yuuuuuummmmmm